Method of embossing



Jan. 31, 1961 HORN 2,969;728

METHOD OF EMBOSSING Filed May 6, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l5 12s u u Mm] -wW ZAZVIAN I ATIHJHIJ z I5 I NC .I Fl G .2

w RAY HURN L 1q/LJ ICHITA KANSAS FIG.4

INVEN I2. HOE.

ATTOZNEY Jan. 31, 1961 R. HORN 2,969,728

METHOD OF EMBOSSING Filed May 6, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 hwfil;

E f" i Flcha By United States Patent-O METHOD OF EMBOSSING Ray Horn, 231N. Broolrside, Wichita, Kans.

Filed May 6, 1957, Ser. No. 657,268

6 Claims. (Cl. 101-32) This invention relates to engraving. In a morespecific aspect this invention relates to a new method or process toproduce engraving. -In still a more specific aspect this inventionrelates to a new process or method of producing engraving wherein theprinting step is separate from the embossing step to result in speedingup the engraving operation. In yet a more specific aspect this inventionrelates to a new method or process utilizing photography and/orphotolithography to produce engraving. In yet a more specific aspectthis invention relates to a new method or process for producingengraving wherein the printing step is done photolithographically from arepresentation of the actual depressed markings on an engraved plate orblock, and the embossing step is done separately using the plate orblock, such new engraving method being much faster and more economicalthan the usual common method, especially where multicolored engraving isdone.

Engraving has long been known in the art wherein a metal plate or blockof steel or copper is formed with depressed markings of such as lettersand/or designs therein. These engraving plates or blocks are chased orcut by engravers, or by engraving machines, according to the letteringand/or design desired on the final embossed print. The plate or block isthen held on the platen of a press in a die box with quoins. A counterformed from the female die which is the engraved plate or block ismounted and positioned in the press chase in register with the engravingdie, and the paper to be printed with embossed letters and/or designs isfedin desired position to the press. To print each .sheet the engravingdie is contacted with an ink pad or roller to fill the die depressions,followed by wiping the face of the die free from ink with wiping paper.With the die depressions inked and the paper to be printed and embossedin the press, it is closed, and the press pressure exerted through thecounter and die forces the paper down into the die depressions to at thesame time pick up the ink to print the paper and emboss the lettering.The engraved paper is then removed from the press and placed on racks todry. Because of the nature of the operation, particularly the timeinvolved and the necessity of wiping the die face free of ink, veryliquid, slow drying inks must be used, necessitating a relatively longand expensive drying operation. These inks are of poor quality and willnot stand much abuse. Also, because of the low viscosity, slow dryinginks used spitting and feathering during the combined printing andembossing step are encountered. The common engraving process does notlend itself to multicolored work, such being particularly time consumingand difiicult, because of the necessity of carrying on the embossing andprinting step for each color.

f I have invented a new method of producing engraving. In the newengraving method of my invention, markings in reverse are made in anengraving plate or block. A representation for photographic purposes ismade from plate or block, preferably an engraving proof, or

2,969,723 Patented Jan. 31, 1961 filling the depressions with a coloringmaterial to provide a contrast with the face of the die plate or block,or providing for coating the die face to contrast with the depressionmarkings. A paper print of the markings is made by a lithographicprocess from the representation. This paper print is embossed bycontacting same under pressure with the die plate or block, and with theplate or block and the printing on said paper in register. I prefer thatthe printing of the paper print be done photolithographically, making anegative of the photograph of the representation, printing a metaloffset plate from the negative, and making the paper print of themarkings from the lithograph ofiset plate in the oifset printingprocess.

The new method of engraving of my invention has many advantages. Theengraving process is speeded up a great deal, chiefly because fastdrying inks can be used on high speed rotary-type lithograph presses toprint the paper. Separating the printing step from the embossing stepprovides for elimination of the time and labor consuming drying step inthe common engraving process. Spitting and feathering due to the highlyliquid inks used in common engraving are eliminated, the embossing stepin the new process of my invention being a dry operation. More distinctengraved work can be produced by my new process, the photographicprinting and lithographic operation each resulting in sharp and clearreproduction of the representation of the die markings. Much better inksfrom an abuse resistance and adhesive standpoint can be used in my newprocess, and a desirably dull appearing engraving can easily beproduced. Engraved letter or design shape can be widely varied in my newprocess. Multi-coloredv engraving can be embossed in one operation. g

It is an object of my invention'to provide a ne'w engraving method.

It is another object of my invention to provide a method to adaptlithographic printing methods to engraving.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new method or process ofengraving, utilizing photolithographic methods to print the letteringand/or designs.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a new, faster and moreeconomic method of engraving,

such producing a better quality of engraving and onev which will standmore abuse and last longer.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent to oneskilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.

Drawings accompanying and are a part of this disclosure. These drawingsdepict preferred specific embodiments of means used in the new engravingprocess or method of my invention, and schematically anddiagrammatically depict preferred specific methods of my invention toproduce engraving. It is to be understood that such is not to undulylimit the scope of my invention. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a metal engraving die plate or block engravedwith depressed markings therein.

Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a proof made from the die of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a shielded photolithographic negative printmade by photographing the proof of Fig. 3 and developing the exposednegative.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a photolithographic offset plate printed fromthe negative of Fig. 4.

' Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of a rotary type pressused to print paper with the plate of Fig. 5 and the usual offsetprinting roller or cylinder.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, exploded, cross sectional view of a press sectionwherein the die of Figs. 1 and 3 is used '3. to emboss the printingproduced by the press of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a view of the means of Fig. 7 with the press closed.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of an engraving dieplate or block showing another depression shape which can be used in thedie employed in the process of my invention.

Following is a discussion and description of the new engraving method ofmy invention made with reference to the drawings whereon the samereference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/orstructure. The discussion and description are of preferred specificembodiments of the new engraving method of my invention, and it is to beunderstood that such is not to unduly limit the scope, of my'invention.

Figs. 1 and 2 show an engraving die plate on block it which has beenchased or cut to form the depressed letters, Ray Horn, Wichita, Kansas"in the face of the die in reverse. The diell can be of any suitablematerial, preferably steel or copper. The depressions 13 are the usualrounded bottom type used in common engraving, and can be formed thereinin any suitable manner, such as by an engraver using a hand graver, orby an engravi'ng machine, etc. In the new method of my invention theshape of the depression is not limited by the need to use very wet inkstherein during printing and embossing in the same step, and the shapecan be anything desired to give a corresponding shape to the raisedletter and/or design on the finished engraving. A shape to give aflat-topped letter or design is shown by the depression 15 in the die 11(Fig. 9).

The die 11 ofFig. 1 is employed inthe usual manner to produce arepresentation. of the die lettering which is proof 17 (Fig. 3'). Thisproof is desirably the exact finished engravedwork. from the die, andthis is normally done to check the die 11 for perfection before using itto run a substantial number of engraved copies in the common process.The lettering 19 is embossed on the paper 21. Any good grade of paper orother material can be used. It is preferable to use a paper which willmaintain its shape in regard to the raised lettering until a picture ofsame can be made, such as a smooth, hard and dimensionally. stablecardboard, or a highly coated white index Bristol, and thelike.

A, representation for another preferred embodiment of my invention cansuitably be made by inking die 11 and wiping the face of same, or byfilling the die depressions with another coloring material, or byproviding color contrast by coating the die face with, a suitablematerial prior to making the depressions 13 in the die. The plan view ofthe lettering in this alternate means of providing a representationwould be the reverse of that shown in Fig. 3.

The proof or representation of 'Fig. 3 is photographed by any suitablemethod and with any suitable means such as by direct photography using asensitized paper, but I prefer to use means similar to those common tophotolithography. A negative print 23'of the representation is made, theone shown in Fig. 4 being a negative of the proof of Fig. 3. If the dieis photographed directly, the negative 23 would have the letteringthereon in reverse. The usual shielding paper or other suitable material. 25 covers the negative and has a hole therein for the portionhaving the lettering thereon.

The shielded negative 23 of Fig. 4 is used to print the metallithographic offset plate 27 which is thin and has holes 29 therein tolock the plate on the usual cyl inder 31. of a rotary offset press. Itis preferred that the plate 27 bethe common zinc orpresensitized'aluminum or paper backed kind; which has been used, togive excellent results. In printing the offset plate 27' the usualmeansof, lithography has been found suitable, and in the: case of theembodiment of my invention wherein the die 11 is photographed directly;the negative is reversed to result inthe burned in le'ttering 33 onplate accurac- 27 being as shown in Fig. 5. The offset roller or cyIinder 35 has the usual rubber blanket 37 thereon which picks up the inkfrom letters 33 of plate 27, and paper 39 picks up the impression 41from rubber blanket 37 when contacted therewith. The offset press baseis represented by numeral 43, and the ink well or pot 45 supplies theink for letters 33 to pick up when the plate 27 is contacted therewithupon turning roller or cylinder 31. The sheets of paper 39 are fed tothe offset press singularly. to be printed from plate 27 and the offsetroller 35 having resilient blanket 37. In printing plate 27 from thenegative 23, it has been found desirable to enlarge letters 33 slightlyso that the ultimate embossed letters on paper 39 will have the sidesthereof colored down to the plane of the paper, since the negative is atrue plan view of the letters 19. This can also be compensated for bydeveloping and enlarging negative 23 to give a slightly blown up letter.

The sheets of paper 39 which are printed in the offset press will havethe printed letters thereon, and in plan view the sheets will, look likethat of Fig. 3-. The next step in the new engraving method of myinvention is to emboss the lettering on sheet 39. This is accomplishedby forcing the portion of paper sheet 39 having the lettering thereondown into the depressions 13 in the en graving die 11 with the printedlettering in register with the depressions 13. A usual press (not shown)can conveniently be employed. In using the press, a counter 50 ofcounter board is made from die 11 by taking an impression of the die inthe press. Preferably the board is then cut out between the lettering sothat the press pressure will be concentrated in the portion having thelettering thereon. A press board 52 is preferably used, and it desirablyprotects the counter board lettering. A resilient rubberized cloth 54covers the press board, and the outer side of same contacts the paper 39in the embossing operation. The rubber cloth 54-, press board 52 andcounter 50 are suitably stuck together with mastic, and the counter isglued to a counter block 56" which is held in the chase (not shown) ofthe press by quoins 58. The steel engraving die 11 is preferably held inthe press in a die box (not shown) with quoins 6% It is desirable tohave a platen with a die box built in, with quoins 60 holding the die 11therein. Fig. 7 shows the press fittings in exploded relation, with thepaper sheets 39 to be embossed in proper position relatively. Fig. 8'shows the fittings and paper in closed embossing position. The sheets ofpaper are fed singly to the press to emboss the printing thereon. Theusual press equipment can be used in practicing the new method of myinvention to emboss the lettering.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, various modifications ofmy invention can be made, in the light of this disclosure anddiscussion, without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosureor from the scope of the claims.

I' claim:

1. A method of producing embossed printed indicia comprising the stepsof, cutting the reverse of the desired indicia into the face of anengraving die, pressing said die having said indicia cut therein againstcounter board to form a counter having protuberances corresponding tothe indicia cut in said die, inking said indicia in said die, forcing asheet of paper into said indica to transfer the therein to said paperand simultaneously embossing said paper where it has been forced intosaid indicia thereby producing an embossed positive proof of the desiredindicia, making a photographic negative of said proof, exposing aphotolithographic printing plate to said negative to form as theprinting area onsaid plate a positive of the desired indicia, using saidplate to oflfset printsaid' indica onto a second sheet of paper, placingsaid. second sheet of paper between said die and said counter with theprinting on saidsecond sheet in register with said indicia in said die,and pressing said die and said counter together with said second sheettherebetween to thereby emboss said indicia on said sheet.

2. A method of producing engraving comprising the steps of, cutting thereverse of the desired indicia into the face of an engraving die,pressing said die having said indicia therein against a counter board toform a counter having protuberances corresponding to the indicia cut insaid die, introducing materials of a color contrasting with the color ofsaid die in said indicia in said die to produce a color contrast betweenthe cut and uncut areas of said die, photographing the thus treated dieto produce a negative of the reversed indicia, reversing said negativeand exposing a photolithographic printing plate to said reversednegative to form as the printing area of said plate a positive of saidindicia, using said plate to offset print said indicia onto a secondsheet of paper, placing said second sheet of paper between said die andsaid counter with said printing thereon in register with said indicia insaid die, and pressing said die and said counter together to emboss saidindicia on said sheet.

3. A method of producing engraving comprising the steps of, forming thereverse of the desired indicia into the face of an engraving die,pressing said die having said indicia therein against counter board toform a counter having protuberances corresponding to said depressions insaid die, applying colored material to the uncut areas of the face ofsaid die to produce a color contrast between the cut and uncut areas ofsaid die, photographing the thus treated die to produce a negative ofthe reversed indicia, reversing said negative and exposing aphotolithographic printing plate to said reversed negative to form asthe printing area the positive of said indicia, using said plate andoffset printing the desired indicia onto a second sheet of paper,placing said second sheet of paper between said die and said counterwith said printing thereon in register with said indicia in said die,and pressing said die and said counter together to emboss said indiciaon said sheet.

4. A method of producing embossed printed indicia comprising the stepsof, forming the reverse of the desired indicia into the face of anengraving die, making a photographic negative of the indicia in said dieby photographing said indicia, exposing a photolithographic printingplate to said negative to form as the printing area on said plate apositive of the desired indicia, using said plate to offset print saidindicia onto a sheet of paper, pressing said die having said indiciaformed therein against counterboard to form a counter havingprotuberances corresponding to the indicia formed in said die, placingsaid sheet of paper between said die and said counter with the printingon said sheet of paper in register with said indicia in said die, andpressing said die and said counter together with said sheet of papertherebetween to thereby emboss said indicia on said sheet of paper.

5. A method of producing embossed printed indicia comprising the stepsof, forming the reverse of the desired indicia into the face of anengraving die, inking said indicia in said die, using said inked die tosimultaneously print and emboss said indicia onto a proof, photographingsaid proof to make a negative of the indicia in said die, exposing aphotolithographic printing plate tosaid negative to form as the printingarea on said plate a positive of the desired indicia, using said plateto offset print said indicia onto a sheet of paper, pressing said diehaving said indicia formed therein against counterboard to form acounter having protuberances corresponding to the indicia formed in saiddie, placing said sheet of paper between said die and said counter withthe printing on said sheet of paper in register with said indicia insaid die, and pressing said die and said counter together with saidsheet of paper therebetween to thereby emboss said indicia on said sheetof paper.

6. A method of producing embossed printed indicia comprising the stepsof, forming the reverse of the desired indicia into the face of anengraving die, producing a color contrast between the cut and uncutareas of said die, photographing the thus treated die to obtain aphotographic uegative of the indicia in said die, exposing aphotolithographic printing plate to said negative to form as theprinting area on said plate a positive of the desired indicia, usingsaid plate to oflset print said indicia onto a sheet of paper, pressingsaid die having said indicia formed therein against counterboard to forma counter having protuberances corresponding to the indicia formed insaid die, placing said sheet of paper between said die and said counterwith the printing on said sheet of paper in register with said indiciain said die, and pressing said die and said counter together with saidsheet of paper therebetween to thereby emboss said indicia on said sheetof paper.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHERREFERENCES Clerc: Ilford Manual of Process Work," 1951, Ilford Limited,London, pp. 263-270.

Tory: Photolithography, Graphic Arts Monthly, Chicago, Ill. (1953, pp.148-181.)

